Homeownership comes with many benefits, however, those benefits come with their own responsibilities that homeowners should continuously be aware of. During the wintertime, keeping the warm air in and the cold air, snow, and ice outside takes planning. These aspects of the home call for additional preparation as the weather turns cool.

What Damage Can Winter Weather Cause to a Home?

Some of the different ways that winter weather can damage a home include:

• Freezing the pipes - Frozen pipes can burst and cause major water damage inside and out
• Broken tree limbs - Ice and snow build up in the trees, causing limbs to break and potentially damaging the home
• Roof damage - When snow is left to sit on a roof, particularly one that already

Although homeowners are not required to refinance the mortgages on their homes, many people choose to do so after a few years. Refinancing a mortgage can allow homeowners to eliminate private mortgage insurance, lower their interest rates, or make a plan to pay off the mortgage sooner than the original loan. Although the home purchase is already secure, people may discover that refinancing is a little like obtaining a mortgage. Here's the process homeowners will likely follow as they pursue refinancing, with some advice to make the experience a bit easier.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Evaluate Current Credit Usage and Overall Debt

Everyone wants to save money, right? And most people are concerned about the future of energy—and the future of the planet.

The move to solar as a source of energy to power your Nashville home and reduce your monthly bills makes a lot of sense. After all, the cost to install solar panels has dropped substantially in the the last five years, making it a much more feasible investment for homeowners. In many areas, the option to return excess power to the grid for credit, termed net metering, is an added incentive.

But will solar panels add value to your property? Will they help attract buyers, and will those buyers pay a premium for the panels on your roof? The short answer to those questions is "yes," according to numerous studies.

The

Are tiny houses the trend of the future? Are micro apartments even livable? What does the future hold in terms of size and price?

The American family home has increased substantially in size in the past 40 or so years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In that same period of time, the number of persons per household has decreased, so no matter how you look at the statistics, the average space each person in this country occupies, has increased in the years since 1973.

In that year, the average single family home contained just 1,660 square feet. In 2015, the average was 2,687 square feet. In 1973, the average family size was 3.01 in that average home.

Now? The average is down to 2.54 in the average house. The median numbers show

Striking a balance between home renovations that enhance the enjoyment of living in your home while also adding value to your home can be tricky. In order to achieve the highest return on dollars spent, it's important to know which home improvements best retain their value and attract prospective buyers. There are some common home improvements that are worth considering.

Backyard Pools

Pools are luxury items, and installation price is sometimes only the tip of the iceberg. Ongoing maintenance and upkeep boost the cost over time, and heating a pool can be quite expensive and the initial thrill of a backyard pool tends to fade quickly. Pool season is typically limited; heating costs can be a burden. Add the cost of landscaping and outdoor

Anyone who needs to liven up their day may stop for Thai food during their lunch hour, while those who love to enjoy a spicy meal that is filled with flavor from across the globe may prefer to grab an authentic Thai dish for dinner with friends. It seems there's always a good occasion to grab Thai food in Nashville, where there is no shortage of excellent restaurants featuring traditional and contemporary Thai meals.

These are the best Thai restaurants in Nashville TN:

International Market and Restaurant

International Market and Restaurant is a Thai restaurant that offers both dine-in and takeout for its customers. A popular place among the students who are studying in Nashville, this restaurant has long been considered one of the best

Home buyers entering the real estate market should be aware of certain market conditions and trends before they consider making any offers. Understanding the real estate market can help home buyers make good decisions that will lead to a successful home purchase. If you're a new home buyer who is just now entering the market, here's what you need to know about the areas where you're trying to buy a home.

Buyer Competitiveness

A home seller's market is a market condition that occurs when inventory is low, prices are high and buyers must compete against one another to make a successful home purchase. Under these circumstances, sellers must make their offer quickly. Negotiating for a lower price is not usually an option in a seller's market.

When homeowners decide to sell, one of the first considerations usually concerns making preparations to speed the selling process and help obtain the best possible price. But existing homes are somewhat like used cars - they often show signs of wear and tear that can devalue them or have design issues that will need to be overcome to get the most attention from qualified buyers.

Some good examples of this include the presence of pet odors, stale cooking smells, or smoke, as well as worn or faded walls and ceilings or stained or damaged windowsills or trim. In addition, homes may also have negative design issues that may discourage buyer interest, such as rooms that appear too dark or very small, oddly constructed areas due to past additions or

Most people know that home appraisals can be a tricky business because it's the act of forecasting the value of a property. However, in reality, everything for sale is subjective because the value of it can change from day-to-day and person-to-person. However, even if an appraisal isn't an exact science, it's still an important component of selling or buying a home. Learn more about what exactly it involves and how sellers can use this information to their advantage.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Assessing the Home

An appraiser is an expert who will examine a property and then place a value on it. They consider everything from the

Hill Center Green Hills is a relaxing and comfortable sidewalk shopping experience in Nashville. Shopping here will mean unexpected finds, the latest trends and an upscale attitude. You’ll love the Main Street atmosphere and classy shopping environment. Rather than shop in a crowded, loud, indoor mall, check out the lifestyle center of Nashville’s one-of-a-kind shopping at Hill Center Green Hills. Here is a look at what you can find at Hill Center and what new retailers are coming to the center.

Hickory Hollow Mall

Although Hickory Hollow more is one of the smallest shopping malls in Nashville, it nevertheless offers a fantastic shopping experience. There are several department stores located here, as well as around a dozen or so specialty